Improvement in postmarking and stamp-canceling machines



R. L. GRHI NNAN. v Post-Marking and Stamp-Canceling Machine. No. 200,389.

PatentedFeb. 19,1878.

N4 PETERS, PHOYQLITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. 0, O.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT L. GRINNAN, OF LANCASTER, KENTUCKY.

IMPROVEMENT IN POSTMARKING AND STAMP-CANCELING MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 200,389, dated February 19, 1878; application filed November 17, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT LEwIs GRIN- NAN, of Lancaster, in the county of Garrard and the State of Kentucky, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Postmarking and Stamp-Canceling Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a view illustrating my device as applied to the human hand and ready for use, and Fig. 2 a view showing the same in the act of postmarking and canceling a letter, postal-card, or other stamped instrument.

- The object of my invention is to provide a means whereby the assorting, distributing, and postmarking of letters, and the cancellation of the postage-stamps thereon, shall be accomplished by one operator, and in a perfeet and expeditious manner.

The invention consists in the employment of an ink-pad secured to the palm of the hand by a glove, strap, or other suitable means, and ofa combined postmarker and stamp-canceler, which is applied to the thumb and operated in connection with theink-pad and letter-support.

The postmarker and stamp-canceler represented in Fig. 1 is constructed of a base, A, of suitable material, and provided with a typereceiving socket; aset-screw, wherebythe types are changed or held in plaee, as desired; a strap passing over its back, by which it is attached to the thumb; and a stamp-canceler and post-office marker of rubber, metal, or other suitable material. I

The inking-pad and letter-support shown in same figure is made of wood, cork, or other light and durable material, and provided with the ordinary ink-absorbent fabric, and is at tached to a glove or strap, whereby it is held upon the hand.

Referring to the drawing, A represents the base of the device; B, the dating and postmarking portion; 0, the set-screw for the type; D, the thumb-strap, and E the stamp-canceling portion. F is the strap or glove, to which the ink-pad'and letter-support G are attached 5 H, an extension or supplemental piece of the strap or glove to prevent the hand from becoming inked and I a band, which assists in holding the strap or glove in position upon the hand.

Heretofore postmarking letters and canceling postage-stamps have been done by a blow with canceler and postmarker, or by pressure in a machine attached to a table or other support.

By the use of my invention the assorting, distributing, and postmarking of the letters and the canceling of the stamps are all simultaneously done by one person, and the services of two or more persons, heretofore employed to perform these several duties, are dispensed with.

The operation of the device is as follows, to wit: The distributing-clerk adjusts the device to his right hand, inks the pad, takes up the letters or packages in the left hand, ascertains in what direction they are to go, clasps the postmarker and canceler upon the letter, as in Fig. 2, and with a slight pressure the stamp is canceled and the letter postmarked. It is then dropped from the hand into the proper department to which it belongs, when the canceler and marker is next brought down on the inking-pad, to be re-inked for another cancellation of a stamp and postmarking of a letter.

Having thus described my invention, what Idesire to claim, and secure by Letters Patent is-- 1 The stampeanceling and postmarking device herein described, consisting of the combined marker and canceler, the ink-pad, and

letter-support, and the palm glove or strap, 7

substantially as and for the purpose set forth. 2. The palm strap or glove F H, carrying the combined ink-pad and letter support, and provided with means, substantially as described, for securing the strap to the hand.

ROBERT LEWIS GRINNAN. Witnesses:

W. D. HOPPER,- WILLIAM G. RAY. 

